Strong typhoon to slam Korea on Thursday
By Kang Seung-woo
Typhoon Soulik is making its way toward the Korean Peninsula on course to strike it later this week, according to the weather agency, Monday.
As the strengthening tropical storm is likely to become the first to slam into Korea in six years, the country is being urged to brace for the typhoon that could pose a serious threat to lives and property ― although it may help ease the blistering heat wave that has engulfed the country for over a month.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Soulik, classified as a strong to medium-sized typhoon, is advancing north toward the peninsula from sea south of Japan and is expected to sweep through the peninsula between Wednesday and Friday.
Soulik, the 19th typhoon of the year, has an atmospheric pressure of 960 hectopascals at its center, with winds gusting up to 140 kilometers per hour, according to the KMA, adding the radius for the strong winds is 340 kilometers.
The weather agency said the typhoon is forecast to be 270 kilometers south of Jeju Island, Wednesday morning, and will make landfall over the peninsula around late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
The KMA noted that the weather system would track over the nation's southwestern coast _ about 20 kilometers north-northeast of Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, by around 9 a.m. Thursday.
After passing through inland areas, Soulik is expected to reach 100 kilometers southeast of Chongjin in North Korea's North Hamgyong Province.
Soulik is picking up strength as it is traveling over waters with temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius, which will help it remain a dangerous storm, according to the KMA.
As the typhoon moves toward the peninsula, heavy rain as well as strong winds, which could trigger flash floods and landslides, are forecast throughout the nation, starting from Jeju Island and the southern coast.
“When Soulik slams into the peninsula, it will bring severe rain and winds to the country; so people are required to be put on alert for torrential rain, strong winds and high waves,” a KMA official said.
Korea was last under the direct influence of a typhoon in September 2012 when Typhoon Sanba passed through the peninsula, leaving two dead and two injured and damaging hundreds of homes and buildings.
However, ahead of Soulik's arrival, Koreans will still be plagued by a deadly heat wave and tropical nights, according to the KMA. Tropical nights refer to those when the temperature doesn't drop below 25 degrees Celsius.